Could Luca Ranieri make it back for Fiorentina? That is the main question before Sassuolo vs Fiorentina at the Mapei Stadium on Monday afternoon at 18.30. Ranieri has been absent since the match against Como because of a compressed nerve in a foot, and Fiorentina are still weighing up whether he can return in time. Marin Pongracic is expected back only after the international break.

Ranieri's fitness and Fiorentina's back line

The strongest update from Fiorentina's camp is cautious rather than definitive. La Repubblica di Firenze reported that Ranieri is the only sidelined player with concrete chances of recovering for the trip against the Neroverdi, while P. Vanoli said Fiorentina will assess the defender before the penultimate fixture of the round.

That matters because Ranieri has already made only 4 Serie A appearances this season. Pongracic has played 5 league matches, so his absence removes another regular option from a defence that has already been stretched. Arthur Atta could still offer part of the answer next Sunday against Juventus, but the immediate focus is on whether Ranieri even makes the squad.

Sassuolo's suspension and current form

Sassuolo will be without Kristian Thorstvedt after his straight red card against Lazio, and that is a real hit for a side that has taken just 1 point from their last five league matches. They sit 15th on 8 points after 9 games, only three points clear of the relegation zone.

The mood around the fixture is still being driven by the teams' own injuries and suspensions more than the tactical picture. Sassuolo do not need another missing piece, and Fiorentina need some stability at the back far more than they need another uncertain week. The clearest read is that Ranieri is the one player in the visiting camp with a genuine chance of making a difference to the starting shape, while Pongracic remains on a longer timeline.

Monday's match will tell Fiorentina a lot about how much cover they have left if Ranieri stays out, but the immediate fact remains simple: Sassuolo vs Fiorentina is still pending, and the late team news is set to matter more than either side's pattern of play.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →